KATHMANDU, Jan 4: Karnali Province, which lags behind in economic development, witnessed a growth rate of 3.39 per cent in the last fiscal year (FY 2023/24).
According to a study conducted by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the province’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to increase by 3.87 per cent in the current fiscal year. Similarly, the basic price is estimated to have increased by 3.54 per cent.
In the fiscal year 2022/23, the GDP grew by 1.95 percent at producers’ price, while the growth rate was 2.31 percent at the base year price, according to the Central Bank.
Groundwater for food security
NRB has released its annual economic activity study report for the fiscal year 2023/24 prepared on the basis of on-site study carried out in Salyan, Kalikot, Dailekh and Surkhet districts and the non-onsite study conducted in Rukum West, Dolpa, Jumla, Mugu, Jajarkot and Humla districts.
In the review year, the total area covered by agricultural crops in the province has increased by 1.94 per cent.
Among the major crops, the area covered by paddy and maize crops has increased by 8.48 percent and 2.12 percent respectively, while the area covered by wheat, millet, barley and buckwheat has decreased by 0.97 per cent, 28.16 per cent, 33.30 per cent and 23.01 per cent respectively.
Likewise, the area covered by vegetables and horticulture crops has increased by 36.40 per cent and 5.98 per cent respectively. Overall agricultural crop production has increased by 6.79 per cent in the province, according to the NRB study report.
